As I started out on this adventure I could have hardly guessed what was in store for me, what I was going to experience, or how this journey would end. No traveler ever can guess, really, which is why we travel in the first place. The excitement of the unknown, the risk of showing up to village after city after town with no hotel booked, no real set plans of transport, are the real tangible things that make travelers travel. They are also the same things that make vacationers want to shit themselves with anxiety, but I digress.
Meeting some very special people on this trip not only shaped my life in a new and profound way, but it also altered my travel plans - and while I am very happy to have met new friends for life, I am a person of impulse and I was extremely excited to keep traveling as well.
Udo and Marco - my most amazing of hosts - showed me Berlin in a very beautiful and intimate way. It is doubtful that most of you will care about the intricacies of every personal account of living through Berlin's dark days that I heard while walking the streets of Berlin, but they were quite incredible to me, and Udo and Marco, know that I cherish them deeply.
If ever there was a walking history book that chronicled the atrocities of war, Berlin is that book. If you aren't staring at the Berlin wall, you are looking at the former Nazi headquarters.
But the most interesting thing about Berlin is that while you are engrossed in its loathsome history, you are inexplicably drawn to its current happiness. Buildings that were once guarding over Berlin as witnesses to some of the most heinous and unimaginable crimes are now cheery artist lofts with peace signs painted on the sides. The people I met were probably the coolest and nicest people in the world and am dying to get all of them to hop on a flight to come to LA. But again I digress...
Here are things I saw:
A clean, organized train. This may seem like nothing to the rest of the world, but after 2 months in India I went into complete shock. Nobody was pissing in the compartment? Oh, I HAVE a compartment! It's heated?! Nobody is walking up and down the aisles yelling "CHAI CHAI CHAI" at the top of their lungs? The stench of urine isn't filling the air?
Marco, who came to pick me up from the train station.
Oh my god, WINE???!! 2 months I have missed you, old friend.
Udo and Marco hanging in their (gorgeous) apartment. Marco is still making silly faces right as the camera goes off.
Our surprise present from a member of the Verhobenlassen family, Robert, who unfortunately wasn't able to make it from Munich to Berlin to see me. Robert is a professional bookbinder and these gifts were INCREDIBLE.
An old famous cemetery looking for Bertoldt Brecht's grave. We never found it, but we did get frostbite. Practically.
Hanging out with friends Steven and Reza.
Nazi Headquarters
Russian monument to their soldiers lost in WW2. I hope that's right? There was a lot of sightseeing, so Udo, correct me if I'm wrong.
The Berlin Wall!!! This is called the East Side Gallery. After the wall came down, a part of it was kept standing and artists from all over the world were invited to come and paint a section. The work was incredibly thought-provoking and beautiful.
Checkpoint Charlie
Brandenburg Gate
These cobblestones run throughout the whole city to mark where the wall once stood.
An old watchtower that stood by the wall. Guards would shoot people who tried to cross from East to West.
Out to a nice dinner with a whole group of friends!
Here with new friends Peter and Nico. Both amazing flight attendants for Lufthansa, so I spent the night obsessing over their jobs (which I assure you, are pretty crazy!). Peter and Nico both made me laugh so hard I practically pissed myself.
Their friend Sandra performed a traditional Bavarian striptease. It was awesome!
The castle in Potsdam, about 30 minutes outside of Berlin
Udo looking very pensive. This should be a watercolor painting, in my humble opinion.
And that about sums it up! I was not happy to leave, but I know I'll be back since I have family in Berlin now.
